Saving RJ Gates

By Ranford Marcus

A story about life...

The story of a young man who is an excellent athlete navigating the world of college recruiting all the while he has skeletons in his closet. 

An inspiring coming of age story about acceptance and love. A coming of age journey.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ranford Marcus
• Release date: Jun 23, 2023
• ISBN: 9781088172445

Book preview

Raising RJ Gates

Ranford Marcus

Copyright © 2023 Ranford Marcus

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without permission in writing from the publisher.

ISBN: 978-1-0881-7236-0

Title: Raising RJ Gates

Author: Ranford Marcus

Digital distribution | 2023

Paperback | 2023

This is a work of fiction. The characters, names, incidents, places, and dialogue are products of the author’s imagination, and are not to be construed as real.

Dedication

I would like to dedicate this project to my great grandparents, the two most influential people in my life. A strong source of inspiration, strength and grace.

You can.

If you think you can't, you're right.

~ Mark Twain

Contents

Raising RJ Gates

Dedication

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Epilogue

Prologue

T

he man’s hands were crossed. A proud smile threatened to break through the stern, heavyset features, but he reined it in. still, he couldn’t help but let out a tiny, triumphant smirk. He watched the reporter’s keenness as she asked the questions, noticed the hesitation on the boy’s features before he replied. The big screen cut to legendary plays of the boy being interviewed, the clean passes. The runs, the impeccable formation. His intent gaze never wavered from the player. This was it. His son’s big day. Seven of the live announcements had already been had, and the eleven stars of the show were scattered all over high schools in the county. Starting from the inter-school games, to the quarterfinals, the semifinals and the finals, there were scouts from prestigious and minor colleges who were waited to snag the next big thing. Rance Sr would know, he was a college football coach. He leaned forward, as if to catch what his son was saying. His eyes were furrowed, hands steepled with his elbows digging in his lap. The very picture of interest.

It was hot. Very hot. Even though it was autumn, the nervousness whipped at the boy as he stared at the microphones carefully placed to aid his speech. He couldn’t deny his excitement, though, grateful for the low murmurs that wrapped around him. For now, he wasn’t the star of the show, and he was more than fine with that. Despite his winning streaks, his humble smile had remained, and everyone loved him for it. His boisterousness on the football field contrasted sharply with the mellow, yet alert way he spoke to people. The eyes that would be lit up with a ferociousness when he was passing, or receiving, or running- would be shy, yet assertive. The voice that barked out captain’s orders on the field would be soft, but firm when he was invited to speak in interviews.

He fought the ever growing urge to lie back and relax. His back ached from sitting straight for what felt like hour, and he had to train his eyes not to blink at the flash of every camera. The teenager had posed for pictures, fielded several interviews- he even had to deactivate his mail when the messages started pouring in—and he couldn’t go to his favorite diner anymore—it was swarmed with townsfolk wanting to converse with him or looking to take pictures.

Still, he thought, it wasn’t so bad. He could ignore everything else as long as he got to play. The feel of a ball—how solid it felt when he hefted it in his hands to test the weight- rivaled almost any other thing. He blinked at the bright skies, unable to hide his growing smile.

Chapter One

L eft, left!

Sweat beaded on RJ’s upper lip as he ran the opposite way, eyes fixed on the bouncing ball. Shoes squeaked on the court, and he leaped just as the ball was tossed, catching it mid-air.

Pass!

His eyes darted left and right, looking for openings, and he finally found what he was searching for. He dribbled the ball and zoomed past a swiping hand, passing it to the shooting guard. RJ blinked sweat off his lashes, hands on knees as his teammate leaped and the familiar sound of ball whooshing into the net filled his ears. He smiled.

Nice shot! Great pass, RJ, Coach Wyatt called, arms folded. He sat safely in the bleachers where his eagle eye roamed his students, looking to praise and criticize. Rance nodded with a grin as his teammates gave themselves high-fives.

Solomon, you did a piss poor job getting the ball from Sam’s hands. I told you, it’s not over until the opposite team scores. Don’t give up so easily.

Pete, a teammate and close friend, bounded up to Rance Jr as the coach was speaking. I can’t believe this was a practice match, man. Felt more like the real deal, you know?

RJ nodded his affirmation, his eyes on the coach. Yeah, but don’t you think you were playing a little rough? He went to his duffel bag with Pete trailing behind, took a towel and patted his face dry.

You listening, boys? Coach’s voice boomed as he fixed his stern eyes on his students. Don’t take this game lightly. It doesn’t matter that there are gonna be other games later. I keep telling you; now, now, now. Play hard so you won’t later. This next game determines your future. Scouts are gonna be there, and I want the best for all of you. I’ve seen you through the years. RJ, Benny, Pete, Sam…

Four pairs of eyes snapped back to Coach Wyatt’s* direction, glinting in anticipation.

You’re seniors now, and this is going to be one of the most important games of your lives. You have the chance to make an impression on college coaches all over the county, heck, over the state. You do well, and you make that impression. Now, I’m not saying work yourself so hard that you drop, I’m saying work for your future. Your aim is to be recruited at the first championship games, okay? Not the second, not the third, the first! You gotta make sure you show your individual form and team coordination. That’s what’s going to determine whether you go pro. The coach stood and put his hands in his track pants.

Sam*, meet me in my office. The rest of you, two sets of full court sprints, now!

There was a mix of groans and sighs, but RJ gave Sam an encouraging slap on the back. You’re good, bro. I’ll tutor you. Squeaking sounds echoed around the court as the boys began their drill. RJ walked to the water fountain a little away from the side of the bleachers and Pete followed, his feet dragging.

Ah, I’m beat, said Pete, letting out a slow sigh. What’s Sam gonna do, though? His grades aren’t looking so good, and that’s definitely what Coach wants to talk about. What if he’s let off the team?

RJ drank some water and wiped his mouth. Coach wouldn’t do that, he replied, his voice steady, although he didn’t believe the words he uttered. Maybe he’ll assign another tutor to him, or I’ll do it-

You already have a lot to do, though. You’re a senior, too, and you’re captain of the basketball team. You can’t shoulder all the problems of the team, now, can you? Let up a bit. C’mon. Let’s do some sprints. Pete jogged to his mates before RJ could answer, which was just as well, since the latter was deep in thought.

The basketball club was one of the if not the most respected and populated sports gathering  in Valley View high school. The football, volleyball and baseball clubs didn’t get as much hype as the basketball club did. The school was known for its sports legends that had Valley View as its alma mater, and that was an important factor in its popularity. Besides, they hardly ever lost to their opponents, whether they played at home or as guests. These factors made the school a target of people from around the county and state alike. The basketball games were a hubbub of shouting and cheering, and it never ceased to make RJ’s heart swell. He loved this sport.

Taking a break, are we? Coach’s voice burst through the Captain’s thoughts, and he looked at the direction of the loud sound.

What did I just tell you about slacking off? That’s an extra set of full court sprints from you! See me after you’re done.

RJ murmured an apology and set off to work.

By the time he was done with the drills, most of his teammates had dispersed, save for Pete and Sam who idled on the bleachers, waiting for him, it seemed. He stopped at his bag to take a water bottle and approached the coach’s office.

Come in, Wyatt said, just as the student was poised to knock. Have a seat, I’ll be brief. RJ acquiesced and waited. The coach looked like he was taking some time to think, fussing over scattered Post-it notes and pens.

Alright, you’re not in trouble, Coach Wyatt began, -but I’d like to clarify some things. You’re a good athlete, a great one, even… basketball, football and baseball, huh? The man laughed heartily, almost proudly. … and you’re captain of two, isn’t that right?

RJ, embarrassed by such blunt remarks, looked away with a polite smile. His ears turned red. Yes, sir. His athletic abilities were amazing, almost freakish, and one would think his grades would be subpar, what with juggling three time and effort sapping sports. But that was not the case. He had maintained good grades since his freshman year until now, and he didn’t show any premise of suddenly getting bad reports. RJ was a stellar student, Wyatt concluded. There was just one thing bothering him…

Why I called you, RJ, is to confirm if you’ve chosen the sport you’ll stick with once you get to college. The basketball championship is in three weeks, and there’ll be scouts looking to recruit the best there is. I’m sure you might have taken this into consideration, but— Coach stroked his sparse head of hair. —you’re going to have to decide a bit faster.

RJ looked deep in thought, and Coach flailed. Now, I’m not saying you have to choose immediately, in my opinion, you’re good enough to go pro on all three. The basketball team’s going to need their captain until the end, eh? He reached forward to pat RJ’s shoulder. Take your time to think about what I said.

The young man stood. Thanks, Coach. I’ll let you know when I make a decision, he said, the polite smile now a strained one.

Good luck, the older man muttered, dismissing him with a wave of his hands. RJ wasn’t in a particularly ecstatic mood, but this conversation bothered him more than he’d like to admit. He thought he could continue playing the games he loved for a little while longer, without any inhibitions, but the pressure was slowly creeping on him. Stifling a groan, he rubbed his face with his hands.

Sam*? Pete? You ready to go? Heads bobbed in affirmation and his friends and teammates strolled to meet up with him.

Everything good? Pete asked, worry for his best friend lining his forehead. What did Coach say?

Nothing important. RJ dug his phone out of his bag, looking to see what texts he’d missed. Am I the only one hungry here? I ran an extra set of sprints, I’m craving some pizza.

Pete recognized his friend’s effort to change the topic and obliged him. Man, Coach worked us mad hard today. I’m surprised I can even move at all.

Well, get ready for three more pain filled weeks of practice. This is just until the championship games start, yeah?

Yeah, and exams are right after, Sam said, his face glum. "Coach said he’s benching